Canadian government invests $80 million in the Center for Plant Health

Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay has announced an investment of $80 million to replace the country’s Center for Plant Health in Sidney, British Columbia. The Center is a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) diagnostic testing, research, and quarantine facility, with both laboratories and greenhouses. This funding, a commitment from the 2017 budget, complements recent federal investments in science and laboratory infrastructure proposed in the budget for 2018. It also demonstrates the Canadian government’s commitment to advancing science and research, supporting innovation, and growing the economy.

The development of this plant health research facility will provide CFIA scientists and partners with state-of-the-art facilities to advance plant science. Having the right tools is essential to help them develop and partner on new ideas and opportunities to protect and grow Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector, as part of the government’s goal of attaining $75 billion in agriculture and food exports by 2025.

The CFIA collaborated closely with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, a long-standing partner of the Center for Plant Health, as well as other partners to develop a vision and business case for enhanced investment in the facility. The Center will be developed over five years in continued collaboration with industry, provincial governments, and academic partners, providing opportunities for the local community, the province, and scientific partners across Canada.

“Science is the cornerstone of the government’s plan to create good jobs in the agri-food sector and to grow the middle class,” said MacAulay. “The new Center for Plant Health will provide a space for researchers to advance plant science and develop innovative agriculture solutions for Canadians and to help grow the economy.”

Press release